Second of Three Nutrionist appointments

I had my second of three meetings with the nutrionist..Lost 14 pounds since the first meeting.My last one is on the 6th of August in Rochester.Really looking forward to getting by all the appointments so I can have a surgery date scheduled.The question I have is what kind of surgery would be best for me...I was going with the gastric bypass and I have heard alot about the lap band but didnt think I wanted it.Now,I'm not sure what way to go.I know the doctor will talk about these with me...I just wanted other peoples opinions also.Thank you so much to everyone for everything you do to keep minds sane.

Congrats on the weight loss.... That is great.... I had the RNY and I am very happy I did, for me I needed the sugar police. I needed something that would watch what I was doing for the rest of my life, though you can eat more over time the sugar eating still has to be kept under watch. I wanted all the strength that the RNY offers and having to go for fills was not something I wanted to do. The choice really needs to made by you but I can understand getting others opinions. What ever choice you make, I wish you all the best!

I'm withDeb. I needed that extra measure of control over the sugar. Diabetes runs rampant in my family and why I don't have it yet is a complete mystery. The thing with the RNY is that most (not all) folks cannot tolerate much (if any) sugar after the surgery. S So if eating normally- like the rest of the world, just in smaller amounts, is your goal, then the lap band might be the ideal solution for you and has a faster recovery rate. If you don't mind a longer recovery and dumping with sugar intake (making it very hard for you to go weak in the knees for strawberry shortcake or tiramisu), then the rny might be the right choice for you. Most are pretty passionate about the particular choice they've made, because it was the right one for them. You will find the one that works best for your cir****tances.

Larry: What are your goals? Do you want to lose some of your weight, but would be okay with still being overweight? (lap band) Do you want to lose everything excess? (best chance with duodenal switch surgery, good chance with RNY). Are you fat because you binge? (lap band) Are you fat because you eat sweets? (RNY) Are you fat because you eat a lot at most meals and eat high-fat foods? (Duodenal switch surgery) Since your surgeon didn't tell you about duodenal switch surgery, my guess is that he doesn't know how to do it (only a few know it and it takes longer than the RNY in the operating room). You can read more about it on the DS message board on OH, or at duodenalswitch dot com. This is a good site: www.weightloss-surgery.com. One of the reasons I didn't go with the lap band was the number of fills ($$ not covered by my insurance) which would require a lot of trips to the doctor to get it right and continue to adjust over time (hard to take off from work as much as would be needed). The other reason is that I had a high BMI and diabetes and wanted the DS to cure the diabetes (which it did). I lost all the excess weight and have maintained it for 30 months now, without working very hard. I think I eat more now than I did when I was fat. Good luck to you.. Below is an abstract from the medical literature that might shed some light. You might also want to post on the men's board on OH, because men have some unique issues. Busetto (Obesity Surgery 2005) reported these success numbers with LapBand: "The Lap-Band® produced a mean 43.0% EWL, corresponding to a BMI reduction from 46.6  to 36.8  kg/m². Success rate was 35.7%, failure rate was 14.1% and weight regain rate was 20.7%. Pouch dilatation occurred in 32 patients (12.3%), band erosion in 2 (0.8%), port leakage in 74 (28.5%), and port twisting in 2 (0.8%). Major band-related surgery was requested in 11 patients (4.2%) and minor port-related surgery in 62 patients (23.9%)."  Significant success predictors were found to be age <40 years and BMI <50 kg/m². Significant failure predictors were found to be male sex and non-sweet eating behavior. Significant weight regain predictors were found to be BMI <50 kg/m² and the occurrence of a port leakage. 

Thanks so much for the responses....They really mean alot to me.Just getting the input of people who have had this life changing surgery is helping me make my decision.You guys are the best!!                                                                             Larry

Larry, I had RNY with Dr. O'Malley on May 7th.  It was the best choice for me.  You have to do what is best for you.  You are in good hands!! 

Thanks Betsy....could you tell me how long you had to wait from your last appointment till your surgery date? And after the last Nut. appointment,do you have to go to a Nut. seminar? Thank you so much...Hope you have a great weekend...Larry